Another way to look at someone tagged as sub par is to see them as undervalued.

Although Michael the tin-pot weasel vice president referred to Eleanor the manager as sub par, she knew that she was undervalued in the organization, and soon left for a job with far better compensation. Michael, on the other hand, found himself fired for consistently treating the company's clients like dirt.

Something that is of above average quality. In golf, a score that is subpar or below par is better than a score that is above par. Therefore if something was above average, you could say that thing was subpar.

Guy: "My winter break so far has been pretty subpar"
Girl: "Oh why? what happened?"
Guy: "Nevermind. I meant that it was better than average but society has brainwashed you with the incorrect definition"